04-13-15 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Budget Agenda Date Requested: 4/13/2015 Source of Funds: Requested By: Dena Mahan Account Number: Department: OEM Amount Budgeted: Report: X Resolution: Ordinance: Amount Requested: Exhibits: Exhibits: Final Mutual Aid Agreement Budgeted Item:YES NO Exhibits: FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy 9523.6 SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION In 2004, the City entered into an Interlocal Agreement with Harris County for emergency disaster services (Ordinance No. 2004-2750). This agreement allows the City and County to better serve the public by sharing various resources in times of disaster. This agreement was updated in 2010 and approved by City Council on January 25, 2010. The County has proposed acceptance of an updated Mutual Aid Agreement to replace the existing Interlocal Agreement. The proposed agreement reflects changes to State and Federal guidance regarding expectations of the mutual aid process. Specifically, the agreement addresses mutual aid assistance that exceeds 12 consecutive hours and outlines the reimbursement process for actual costs incurred of providing assistance beyond this 12 hour period. After this period expires, the Requesting Party will be expected to reimburse the Responding Party for costs related to personnel, operation and maintenance of equipment, damaged equipment, food, lodging and transportation. The updated language complies with State of Texas Government Code 418, Section 111. The proposed agreement also describes how such requests for assistance should be documented. In order for the City to seek State or Federal reimbursement for providing mutual aid assistance, this language must be incorporated into the existing agreement. According to FEMA Policy 9523.6, Mutual Aid Agreements for Public Assistance & Fire Management Assistance, “When a pre-event agreement specifies that no reimbursement will be provided for mutual aid assistance, FEMA will not pay for the costs of assistance.” This updated Mutual Aid Agreement will allow the City to seek reimbursement for providing mutual aid services to another jurisdiction during a disaster. The agreement references the definition of a disaster as that term is defined in section 418.004 of the Texas Government Code. Section 418.004 defines “disaster” as the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, wave action, oil spill or other water contamination, volcanic activity, epidemic, air contamination, blight, drought, infestation, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, other public calamity requiring emergency action, or energy emergency. Action Required by Council: Consider approval or other action of a Mutual Aid Agreement between the City of La Porte and Harris County for disaster services. Approved for City Council Agenda Corby D. Alexander, City Manager Date